We know how Trotz feels about Leddy. No reason to think he'll be moved now. I also wouldn't target Pacioretty. I think Marchessault makes more sense

Pacioretty was elite last season and he’s a sniper. Marchessault is more of a playmaker and he’s awful defensively

As much as I'd love having Leddy in Buffalo, I don't think this works with the cap. And I'm struggling to think of who we could send back to make that work.

Refusing to move Leddy is just as bizarre as the Brian strait situation

Sabres can't afford Leddy unless it is super worth their while. Also doubt they would take Ho-Sang and two thirds to offset the cap hit. Wahlstrom would certainly get their attention though.

Do they really not have enough cap space? That’s my bad. Could be Detroit or any team w cap space

I’d rather Patches cuz of his shooting ability

He was a top 15 winger in the league last season. Elite offensively and defensively. Marchessault = eberle , which isn’t bad but he has 4 years left on his contract. If we’re going to take a chance it has to be with an elite player

Yeah, after signing Hall we effectively have a shade over $2.5M in space. And we have a lot of potential bonuses to pay out so we're likely not too interested in filling that space.

Let's think forward a little.
Nate Schmidt returned a third, even in this market Ristolainen would get a better return than that IMO.
Drop the two thirds and make it a second.
Buffalo gets Leddy, Ho-Sang, second and what ever return possible for Ristolainen for Ristolainen and Pilut.
That would balance the LHD with the RHD.
IMO, if this was offered to Buffalo, Adams would do what ever was possible to make space.